Chapter 111: Protectors, Insults, and a Demon King Who Made Someone Cry
Chapter 111: Protectors, Insults, and a Demon King Who Made Someone Cry
Elyn’s POV
For exactly three seconds after Azerion declared—very bravely, chest puffed like an angry snake—that he would be going with me to protect me, the room fell into a stunned, fragile silence.
Then Rin burst out laughing. It was unrestrained, and honestly, I had no idea why she was laughing. Azerion hadn’t said anything funny as far as I knew.
Not that Rin cared though. She was doubled over, clutching her stomach, pointing directly at Azerion like he had just announced he was going to wrestle Zorathys barehanded using positive thoughts.
"Oh—oh no—" Rin wheezed, wiping a nonexistent tear from the corner of her eye. "Did you guys hear that? He said he’ll protect the queen."
"I don’t understand how that is funny," Azerion growled at her.
Rin straightened just enough to jab a finger at him again. "You’re not even done stealing snacks from my lady, and this is the moment you decide you’re a protector?"
Azerion’s jaw clenched as he glared at her.
Rin snorted. "You are forgetting you still owe my lady payment for the snacks you stole from the snack box. And also the sweet tarts you stole from Kethra in the kitchen."
"For the last time, I did not steal. I only took it. I’m not like you who steals," Azerion snapped.
"Oh, so now it’s not stealing when it’s you? That’s not happening, you snack thief. You stole from the queen," Rin told him.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, hoping that this didn’t escalate into an argument that I would have to put a stop to because, honestly, I wasn’t sure I had the mental fortitude or even the energy to stop an argument.
Thankfully, it didn’t escalate into an argument, but Rin wasn’t done either.
"Honestly," she continued, waving a hand dismissively, "the human maid is far better suited to protect the queen than you are."
Vaelory blinked in shock. "I—what?"
Azerion turned slowly, staring at Rin like she had just committed a personal offense against his entire bloodline.
"The human maid who isn’t even able to dress appropriately?" he asked Rin.
Vaelory took a look at her shiny maid gown from Aelthryn.
"How is it that no one recognizes just how beautiful this dress is?" she muttered with a frown.
I pretended not to hear her, as did the other occupants in my room. On second thought, I’m sure the others didn’t hear her. They were not pretending; they just didn’t hear her, and I could bet my left tit that they didn’t care either.
Azerion went on, unfazed. "What exactly do you think she can do to protect the queen when all she’s interested in is that pretty water demon?"
I froze just as Vaelory’s face turned an impressive shade of red.
Rin’s lips twitched. "His name is Naviel."
Azerion nodded once. "Yes. Naviel."
Vaelory spluttered. "I—excuse me?"
Azerion crossed his arms. "She’s interested in Naviel and even less interested in protecting the queen."
"I am very interested in protecting the queen!" Vaelory protested. "I’ll have you know, I protected Her Highness back in our kingdom."
I just gave her a stare. Who did she protect me from? Flies? Because I still remembered that I was the one who firmly protected myself even when I was trying to escape this engagement that I’m now deeply in. Vaelory didn’t help me—she panicked instead.
Azerion tilted his head slightly, studying her with a frown on his round face.
"...From who?" he asked. "Flies?"
I turned sharply. Did he read my mind?
Vaelory looked like she might combust.
Before she could respond, Rin—who had been oddly quiet for a moment—tilted her head thoughtfully.
Her eyes unfocused, staring at nothing as she hummed to herself.
Then she nodded.
"For once," Rin said slowly, turning toward Azerion, "I agree with you."
Rin shrugged. "The human maid is only interested in Naviel. She’d do a terrible job protecting the queen."
Vaelory’s mouth fell open.
"You—Raven!"
Rin patted her shoulder, and Vaelory jumped in shock as if just now remembering that Rin is a demon she’s supposed to be scared of.
Rin didn’t mind. She continued her words undeterred. "It’s okay. Love makes people useless."
"That’s not—!"
Azerion nodded solemnly. "Then it’s settled."
I straightened. "It is?"
"Yes," he said firmly. "I will be the one protecting you since I’m going with you. I’ll be your knight."
I opened my mouth.
Then closed it.
Because before I could speak, Azerion turned sharply toward Zorathys, pointing at him with absolute conviction.
"And you," he said, voice rising, "can go away. I’ll be going with the queen so you don’t have to pester her."
This whole situation was extremely comical to me, and I was having difficulty holding in my laugh and keeping a straight face.
Zorathys slowly turned his head and gave Azerion a look from head to toe, his lips curved in faint, lazy amusement.
"...You do know, Syrenthis," Zorathys said calmly, "that I can get rid of you with just a blink, right?"
Azerion swallowed but stood his ground.
"And who," Zorathys continued, that faint smirk on his face, "do you think your weak arms and fake eyes are going to protect?"
Oh, I knew exactly what Zorathys meant when he said fake eyes. Azerion’s eyes were not his real eyes, and he had done it because of me.
Azerion’s jaw trembled.
"I—I can pwotect the queen," he said, puffing his chest again, though his voice wavered and his speech regressed to how it was before.
That should have alerted me that something was going to happen.
Zorathys scoffed at Azerion.
He flicked his hand dismissively. "You’re weak."
Then—because the universe clearly had a sense of humor—he turned away, adjusting himself more comfortably on my bed like the conversation no longer concerned him.
Silence.
Absolute, stunned silence.
Azerion’s lips wobbled.
I noticed it a second too late.
His eyes glassed over.
His shoulders shook.
And then—
He burst into tears.
Loud, ugly ones that echoed in the room.
"You’re a big—hic—meanie!" Azerion cried, pointing at Zorathys through his sobs.
And once more, every single occupant in the room—well, except Zorathys and Azerion, who was crying—stared at Azerion in shock.